Our Prime Minister said on the death of Hugo Chavez: “I hope the people of Venezuela can now build for themselves a better, brighter future.” I would first remind Stephen Harper that Venezuela elected Chavez with a 54 per cent majority. Harper rules with a measly 40 per cent and acts as if he has a majority. Chavez improved the lives of the poor in his country, whereas Harper has rarely mentioned the poor let alone tried to improve their lot. The big corporate guns and Washington did everything in their power to oust Chavez and yet he prevailed until now. I think that what Harper is really speaking of when he speaks of “people” are the rich people who ran Venezuela like a private enterprise before Chavez was elected. I hope Canadians are listening to Harper when he speaks of democracy and people and freedom because it doesn't include the poor.

Larry Bruce, Georgetown

I was appalled at the comment made by our Prime Minister. Hugo Chavez was full of compassion for the masses of his country, which is totally lacking in our PM. He is now wishing that the new leader of Venezuela should be like all other G8 leaders who are puppets in the hands of the corporate moguls and the ultra-rich of their respective countries. Let the masses eat cake.

Najma Qayyum, Brampton

For Venezuelans who elected and now mourn the loss of Hugo Chavez the Harper government’s statement on his death was that “Venezuela can now build for themselves a better, brighter future.” Such a statement offers no acknowledgment of the grief of Venezuelans and quite frankly is insulting in nature as obliquely celebratory of his departure.